Volunteers of the Month - October 2017: Chris & Tara Cox
Posted by Victoria Leedham
Chris & Tara are part of our Yorkshire-based volunteer family at the Beatrice Wright Centre, supporting Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by being involved with our Bed & Breakfast scheme – looking after dogs in training on evenings and weekends.
As full-time workers they said upon joining us: “the B&B opportunity feels like it would allow us to enjoy the company of a dog whilst knowing that during the day it is not left at home, reliant on a dog walker. It is also an opportunity to support a dog whilst it is in training and help it to do its best. We enjoyed having our own dogs in the past and feel it would be really interesting to gain a broader understanding of dog training.”
It quickly became apparent that Chris & Tara were perfectly suited to the role and that their caring, calm nature would really help the dogs under their care to flourish, both in and out of ‘school’.
Dog Trainer Zoe Rice explains: "Chris & Tara got stuck in from the get-go! Their first training dog wasn't the most straightforward and I needed to ask them to do a lot of observational work to fully appreciate the dog’s behaviour, support the training programme and the dog’s individual requirements. It wasn’t an easy first mission, but nothing was too much trouble and they did everything to give that dog its best chance to become a hearing dog and support a deaf person."
In getting to know the couple, we discovered their kindness and generosity extends beyond just looking after the dogs. Zoe recalls: "During a warm summer’s day last year the Beatrice Wright Centre unexpectedly needed to be evacuated which resulted in staff and volunteers sitting on the grass verge down the road from the site until the all clear was given. Chris & Tara were on their way to collect their dog and asked if there was anything they could do to help. We explained that it was probably simply a waiting game, so suggested they return home. Half an hour later they reappeared brandishing cool drinks and snacks! A complete act of warm-heartedness that was a real morale boost on one of those unforeseen, peculiar days."
Chris & Tara have also been forthcoming in supporting our Great British Dogs Walks, various local fetes and with volunteer recruitment drives. Dog Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator Hayley Simpson recounts: “Our Volunteer Fairs at the Beatrice Wright Centre aim to promote volunteer roles within the charity in a welcoming and friendly way. Chris & Tara came along to our summer event with their training dog Rocky, answered potential volunteers’ questions and really put people at ease about volunteering their time for Hearing Dogs. Their amicable nature made them perfect for the role and this really helped us gain more enquiries and ultimately more volunteers to join the charity.”
Zoe concludes: "I think Chris & Tara are great examples of two genuine people who will go out of their way to help others. We’re very lucky that they chose to support Hearing Dogs, and our hearing dogs in training are lucky that they support them too!”
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